Bethel Hosts 30th Annual Dr. King Service

The Rev. Dr. Edward L. Hunt (third from left), joins hands with other clergy and elected officials as they sing "We Shall Overcome" as Bethel Missionary Baptist Church hosted the 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Commemorative Service on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

WAPPINGERS FALLS – For 30 years the community has been gathering at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each year the program is hosted by the Black History Committee, which is designed to commemorate the life of Dr. King thru song, reflection and a guest speaker.

The youth, who are always an integral part of the program, read passages by figures involved in the Civil Right Movement and were affected by Dr. King. They included Prathia Hall, narrated by Nia Garcia, and Mahalia Jackson, narrated by Raheem Graham. Their performance was followed by Linda Molina who received a standing ovation for her liturgical dance. Each performance was a powerful testament to the slain civil rights leader.

The congregation joins hands in unity while singing “We Shall Overcome” at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church hosted 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Commemorative Service on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

The Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Chorus also performed several sermonic selections to the delight of those gathered Sunday evening.

As is the tradition of this Dr. King celebration a collection was taken up for the non-profit Love In The Name of Christ. They will receive approximately $950 to help those less fortunate in the community.

Rev. Stephen Evanina, Pastor of St. Gregory’s Church in Wappingers was this year’s guest speaker. Rev. Evanina spoke of how Martin Luther King’s words echo as loud today as they did 50 years ago.

“Today we celebrate this man’s ministry,” Rev. Evanina said, “That ministry was built upon love and peace.” He noted that when people walk out of the church, they are met with anything other than peace.

Rev. Stephen Evanina, Pastor of St. Gregory’s Church in Wappingers provides the Spoken Word as Bethel Missionary Baptist Church hosted the 30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Commemorative Service on Sunday, January 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Evanina said that eternal peace is what Christ gives to us – it is an inner peace that comes in the dark – it is nothing other than the Holy Spirit. “Dr. King entered into the storm, much like Christ’s disciples with the Holy Spirit. His fight against injustice was driven by Christ’s love.

King didn’t run (from the storm) but fought it head on… There is peace to be found in the eye of the storm.”

The service concluded with Rev. Hunt leading the congregation in singing “We Shall Overcome.” People joined hands in unity as they sang and reached across the aisles.

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